HAYDEN BIRDSONG NEWS

Fans five in scoreless outing Birdsong threw three scoreless innings during Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rangers, allowing three hits while striking out five.

Impact Birdsong entered the game in the sixth frame, surrendering a triple to the first batter he faced. However, he settled in and retired the next three hitters. The 23-year-old also allowed a double and a single over his three innings but racked up a season-high five strikeouts. Birdsong owns a 1.13 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and an 18:6 K:BB across 16.0 innings in seven games. The right-hander has been impressive to start the 2025 campaign and will likely continue to serve in a long-relief role.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Giants win wild walk-off vs. Rangers on Heliot Ramos' Little League homer

Heliot Ramos circled the bases on an infield single and two errors for a Little League homer in the ninth inning as the Giants raced past th...

APRIL 27 • FOX SPORTS

Earns first win of 2025 Birdsong (1-0) picked up the win in Monday's 5-2 victory over the Brewers, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out four in three innings.

Impact The 23-year-old recorded his first big-league win as a reliever, entering the game in the sixth frame for Robbie Ray. Birdsong threw 30 of his 49 pitches for strikes and generated nine whiffs. The second-year pro joined the bullpen after Landen Roupp was named the fifth starter, but Birdsong has been impressive in his new role, posting a 1.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 13:6 K:BB across 13 innings in six appearances. The Giants will likely continue to use the young right-hander in a long-relief role. Manager Bob Melvin said Monday, "We're looking for spots like that for him. It worked out really well today," according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

APRIL 22 • ROTOWIRE

Wilmer Flores hits go-ahead homer and Jung Hoo Lee adds RBI triple as Giants beat Brewers 5-2

Wilmer Flores hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the sixth, Jung Hoo Lee added an RBI triple the next inning as fans chanted his name, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Milwaukee...

APRIL 22 • Associated Press

Allows two runs vs. Philadelphia Birdsong was charged with two earned runs on two hits and a walk over one inning during Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

Impact The 23-year-old reliever entered the game in the seventh, giving up his first runs of the season on a two-run homer by Bryce Harper. Pitching on one day's rest, Birdsong struggled with control, throwing 12 of his 24 pitches for strikes Tuesday. It was also the first time that he pitched fewer than two innings this season. The right-hander has recorded a 1.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 9:4 K:BB with three holds and one hit batter over 10 innings in five appearances.

APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE

Hayden Birdsong goes from Giants rotation also-ran to elite relief arm Right now, Hayden Birdsong is the multi-inning shutdown reliever the San Francisco Giants’ bullpen needs. He knows he could return to the ro...

APRIL 14 • SFCHRONICLE.COM

Still unscored upon Birdsong picked up the hold during Sunday's 5-4 win over the Yankees, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out three and hitting one batter.

Impact The 23-year-old entered the game in the sixth frame and retired all three batters he faced. The right-hander later hit Aaron Judge with a pitch in the seventh but escaped the inning without allowing a hit. Birdsong was efficient, facing seven batters and throwing 15 of his 20 pitches for strikes. He has recorded a 0.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and a 9:3 K:BB with three holds across nine innings in four appearances this season.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Strong start to season continues Birdsong threw three scoreless innings during Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Reds, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.

Impact Birdsong threw 25 of his 39 pitches for strikes during his third appearance of the season. The 23-year-old gave up a double to begin the ninth frame, but he kept his composure and retired Cincinnati's next three hitters. Manager Bob Melvin said postgame, "The velocity's been there out of the bullpen as well, all his pitches working -- he just looks like he's really confident," according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Birdsong has recorded a 0.00 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 6:3 K:BB over 7.0 innings.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Lodolo pitches 6 innings and Trevino drives in lone run as the Reds blank the Giants 1-0

Nick Lodolo pitched six sharp innings and outdueled Landen Roupp, and the Cincinnati Reds shut out the San Francisco Giants for a second straight game with a 1-0 win

APRIL 9 • Associated Press

Chapman receives his Gold Glove Award and then leads Giants past Mariners 4-1 with his bat

Matt Chapman hit a pair of RBI doubles to back a strong start by Robbie Ray and the San Francisco Giants beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1 to extend their winning streak to six games

APRIL 6 • Associated Press

Makes first appearance of 2025 Birdsong threw two scoreless innings during Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Astros, allowing two hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

Impact Birdsong made his first appearance of 2025 and was the last member of the Opening Day roster to play this season. The right-handed reliever started the sixth frame and later got out of a two-out jam. He walked the first batter of the seventh inning before retiring the Astros' next three hitters, finishing with 26 pitches across two innings. Birdsong was neck-and-neck with Landen Roupp for the fifth-starter role in spring training before being moved to the bullpen. However, the Giants' early success has made it more difficult to utilize the 23-year-old Birdsong, who made 16 starts last season, registering a 4.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

One X-Factor for all 30 teams entering 2025 MLB season

Opening Day for the 2025 MLB season is mere hours away. With that, here's the X factor for all 30 teams' 2025 campaign.

MARCH 26 • FOX SPORTS

Roupp comes out on top for final Giants' rotation spot SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants’ Opening Day rotation is set, with Landen Roupp officially edging out Hayden Birdsong for the final spot in the...

MARCH 25 • MLB.COM

Starting season in bullpen Birdsong will serve out of the Giants' bullpen for the start of the 2025 season after Landen Roupp was named as the fifth starter Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area repor...

Impact Birdsong and Roupp were the final two candidates for the Giants' fifth-starter spot after Kyle Harrison was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. Birdsong recorded a 0.75 ERA across 12 Cactus League innings this spring, but he'll begin the 2025 regular season in the bullpen, possibly in a long reliever role.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

OK after fingernail issue Birdsong is expected to be fine after dealing with a cracked right middle fingernail during an appearance Sunday in an exhibition game versus Triple-A Sacramento, Shayna Rubin of t...

Impact Birdsong noted that it's something he battles with a lot and he expects to be fine after getting a fake fingernail put on the finger. The right-hander has made the Giants' Opening Day roster and is the team's presumed fifth starter, although the club has not yet confirmed what Birdsong's role will be.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Makes San Francisco's roster Birdsong has made the Giants' Opening Day roster, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Birdsong has been in a battle with Landon Roupp for the final spot in the Giants' rotation, and while the team has yet to confirm it, it appears Birdsong will break camp as the fifth starter and Roupp will be used in the bullpen. The 23-year-old Birdsong earned the spot following a fantastic Cactus League showing that saw him allow just one run with an 18:0 K:BB over 12 innings of work.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Rotation battle down to Birdsong, Roupp as Harrison heads to Triple-A SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants’ fifth-starter competition is officially down to two. Left-hander Kyle Harrison was optioned to Triple-A Sac...

MARCH 22 • MLB.COM

Still in mix for fifth-starter role Birdsong remains neck-and-neck with Landen Roupp for the fifth-starter role, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Birdsong and Roupp are the final candidates for the fifth-starter spot after the Giants optioned Kyle Harrison to Triple-A Sacramento. Birdsong has made four appearances during Cactus League play, recording a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 frames. The 23-year-old made 16 starts for San Francisco during the 2024 campaign, registering a 4.75 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings. Additionally, Birdsong threw more innings than Roupp (50.1 innings) last season, starting in 16 outings compared to Roupp's four. The Giants will likely take a look at both candidates during Sunday's tune-up game against Triple-A Sacramento, which may help decide who wins the final starting spot.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Generating buzz in rotation bid Birdsong struck out eight over five scoreless innings against the A's on Sunday and now has a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring.

Impact The 23-year-old right-hander is making quite the case for the No. 5 spot in the San Francisco rotation, though manager Bob Melvin stressed after Sunday's exhibition that "to this point, nothing's been decided," per Maria Guardado of MLB.com. Landen Roupp was seen as the frontrunner for the fifth starter role earlier in spring training, and lefty Kyle Harrison remains in the mix as well in what Guardado described as the "fiercest competition in Giants camp." However, Birdsong might have the most upside for the Giants, and he is arguably the most interesting of the bunch from a fantasy perspective.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Giants' Hayden Birdsong remains dominant while Kyle Harrison is picking up speed As Hayden Birdsong has been all but unhittable for the San Francisco Giants this spring, Kyle Harrison is working to find his velocity after...

MARCH 17 • SFCHRONICLE.COM

Still in mix for rotation Birdsong has a 2.89 ERA and a 13:1 K:BB this spring, including an outing against minor leaguers that doesn't count toward his Cactus League stats, and he is in the mix for a rotati...

Impact It seemed like Birdsong would be behind Kyle Harrison and maybe even Landen Roupp in the competition for the fifth starter's spot, but Birdsong has pitched well enough to keep his name in the mix. In fact, Birdsong was so efficient in his most recent appearance Monday, throwing 45 pitches over three scoreless innings, that he went back out to the bullpen to keep throwing in order to meet his pitch count requirement, per delos Santos. Birdsong threw 129.1 innings last season, significantly more than Roupp (76.2 innings) and also more than Harrison (124.1 innings), and is up over 10 unofficial innings this spring, so he won't miss out on the rotation due to any any durability concerns. Birdsong's control was poor in 2024, particularly in the majors (13.7 BB%), but if he has indeed taken a step forward in that aspect of his game, he could be in for a breakout 2025 season.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Might not make rotation Birdsong could be on the outside looking in for a spot in the Giants' rotation, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Impact Birdsong flashed plenty of promise last season, particularly from a strikeouts perspective, posting a 4.75 ERA and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings covering 16 starts. However, with the signing of Justin Verlander and expected return of Jordan Hicks to the rotation, Birdsong might begin the 2025 campaign back at Triple-A Sacramento. It might not be the worst thing since Birdsong still needs to work on his control, but he has some of the best upside of any of the Giants' starting pitchers and still figures to spend ample time in the major-league rotation.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Fans 11 in short outing Birdsong (5-6) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out 11 and taking a loss against St. Louis.

Impact Through four innings, Birdsong had given up one run on a solo shot by Brendan Donovan. The Cardinals then tacked on two more in the fifth inning. Despite recording only 13 outs, Birdsong punched out 11 and racked up 19 whiffs. He generated 12 of those whiffs via the slider. Birdsong ends his rookie season with a 4.75 ERA and 88:43 K:BB through 72 innings. He completed six innings in just one of his 16 MLB starts.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Collects fifth win Birdsong (5-5) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Impact Birdsong has followed up a seven-start winless stretch with back-to-back victories. The rookie right-hander has allowed seven runs over 18.2 innings across four starts in September. He's at a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB through 67.2 innings over 15 starts this season. Birdsong is tentatively projected to make his last start of the regular season at home versus the Cardinals.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

One out short of quality start Birdsong (4-5) took the win Wednesday against Baltimore, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out three.

Impact Birdsong fell just shy of his second quality start of 2024, getting pulled from the start in favor of Erik Miller after giving up a single to Colton Cowser in the sixth inning. Miller immediately yielded a double to Ryan O'Hearn, plating Cowser as Birdsong's third earned run. In his last three starts, Birdsong has a 3.29 ERA with an 11:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Diamondbacks in Arizona next time out.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE